Lightning Bug albums

2021

A Color of the Sky - 95%

               This band came out of nowhere to be to make one of the most atmospheric and amazing album I have heard in quite a while. Reminiscent of bands of the late 80’s and early 90’s only in the most psychedelic pop kind of way. “Song of the Bell” recalls bands that know how to create a pure sonic soundscape of enjoyable tunes with supreme ease. “The Right Thing is Hard to Do” is a delicate butterfly waiting to land on your finger, with lead singer Audrey Kang really projecting how great music can still exist within the realm of ethereal rock n roll. These cuts, along with closer “The Flash” would be killer rock radio singles if that were still a thing people respected.

               If there was such a thing as the Laurel Canyon area of the 1960s come to life in music, opener “The Return” would be it, a nearly seven-minute anthem full of flute and echoing vocal harmonies.         “I Lie Awake” is more of a deep album cut, though no less effective as a sedative in the best kind of blissful way, classically transforming from its gentle chorus to a climaxing rainbow of a chorus- it’s one of the best psych rock songs I have ever heard. There is a dreamy kind of elemental quality to music like this, whether that is due to production or spectacular playing I am not sure, more likely a combination of both. If this kind of writing sounds goofy in explaining what an album full of unabashed psych pop can sound like, well go listen for yourself- it makes perfect sense in this context.

Best Songs: I Lie Awake, The Right Thing is Hard to Do, Song of the Bell, The Flash